Orchesography, or, the Art of Dancing / The Art of Dancing by Characters and Demonstrative Figures

Foot,

as well in

Steps

Positions,

has two Sides, an Inside and an Outside. The Beginning of the

Step

, is the Beginning of the Line, joining the little black Spot, as is shewn by the Letter A. The Middle, is the middle of the Line, as at Letter B. And the End, is the Extremity of the Line, joining that which represents the Foot, as at Letter C. The Outside of the Foot, is between the Heel and the end of the little Toe, mark’d D E; and the Inside, is that which is between the Heel and End of the great Toe, as is mark’d F G.

There are three ways of

Sinking, viz

. before the Foot moves, in moving, and after it has moved.

When there is the Mark of a Sink at the beginning of a Step, the Sink must be made before the Foot moves.

Sink before the Foot moves.

When the Sink is mark’d in the middle of the Step, the Sink is not to be made till the Foot has made half the Step.

A Sink in moving.

When the Sink is mark’d at the end of the Step, the Sink must not be made till the Step is finish’d.

A Sink after Movement.

It is the same thing in the Marks of a Rise.

Rise before the Foot moves.	Rise in moving.	Rise after Movement.
Sink and Rise before the Foot moves.	Sink and Rise in moving.	Sink and Rise after moving.
Sink before Moving, and Rise in Moving.	Sink as before, and Rise after Moving.	Sink in Moving, Rise after the Movement.

Observations upon Springings.

Springings

may be perform’d two ways,

viz

. with both Feet at once, or with one Foot only.

The Springings which are made on both Feet, are mark’d upon the Positions, as hereafter will appear; whereas the Springings that are made in moving, are mark’d upon the Steps, as has been already shewn, and will again appear by the Sequel.

Of Springing Steps.

Springing Step

, is perform’d two ways, either by

springing

and

falling

on the same Foot which moves forward, which I shall, for the future, call a

Bound;

springing

and

falling

on the Foot that does not move forward, which I shall call a

Hop

When there is a Mark of a Spring upon the Step, and no Mark for the holding up of the Foot after it, it shews, that the Spring is to be made with the Foot that moves, which is call’d a Bound

A Bound.

But when there is a Mark for a Spring, and afterwards a Mark for the Foot up, it signifies, that the Spring must be made on the Foot that does not move forwards, which is call’d a Hop.

A Hop.

The mark for falling, has no proper Place assign’d it, and I shall only observe, that in rising, when it is in Order to fall, it is necessary the Mark for a Rise, should be near the beginning of the Step.

Rise and Fall.

The mark for a Slide, has likewise no proper Place, when it is single on a Step; but when it is accompanied with other Marks, as sinking, rising, &c. then it must be plac’d last.

Sink, Rise, and Slide.

If after the Mark of a Slide, there be also the Mark for the Foot up, you must Slide no farther than that Mark shewing the Foot up.

Slide, and afterwards hold the Foot up.

The Mark for the Foot up, may be plac’d either in the Middle, or the End; when it is in the Middle, it shews, that the Foot is only up, in Order to be set down afterwards.

Foot up, and then put down.

But when it is at the End, it signifies, that the Foot must remain up.

Foot up.

To point the Toe, and afterwards the Heel, there must be a Point on the outside of that which represents the Toe, and another on the inside of that which represents the Heel.

To point the Toe, and after to place the Heel.

To place the Heel, and afterwards point the Toe, there must be a point on the outside of that which represents the Heel, and another on the inside of that which represents the Toe.

To place the Heel, and afterwards point the Toe.

It is to be observed, that in the two foregoing Examples, the Point which is on the Outside of that which represents either the Toe or Heel, is the Point from whence you must always begin.

When there is a Point at the end of that which represents the Toe, and another behind that which shews the Heel, it shews, that the Foot must be set down flat.

A flat Foot.

Marks for Turning, have no proper Places assign’d them, no more than the falling or sliding Mark ; but you must then observe to which side to turn, whether to the right or left.

You must observe, that the beginning of the turning Mark, is to be taken from that Part which is nearest to the black Spot.

After having thus shewn the beginning of each turning Mark, you must observe exactly which way to turn, whether to the right or left, as appears by the following Examples:

A quarter turn to the Right.

A quarter Turn to the Left.

A half Turn to the Right.

A half Turn to the Left.

Three quarter Turn to the Right.

Three quarter Turn to the Left.

The beginning of a whole Turn, or turn quite round, is more difficult to find out, because the Circle, which is the Mark of it, has neither beginning nor End: But it is nevertheless to be known by a Point plac’d on the side of the Step; from which Point the beginning being known, you make Use of the same Rules as above.

A whole Turn to the Right.

A whole Turn to the Left.

When a Turn is to be made but half a quarter round, it must be mark’d a quarter of a Circle on the side of the Step, without joining it to the Step.

A half quarter Turn to the Left.

A half quarter Turn to the Right.

I have already shewn, that all Steps and half Positions, which have but one Point at either of their Extremities, signify either the pointing of the Toe, or placing the Heel, without the Body’s bearing on it; but when there happens to be two Points, it then shews, that the Body must bear upon it.

To bear the Body on the Toe.

To bear the Body on the Heel.

Having explain’d all the before-mention’d Marks, I hope it will not be thought improper to shew when Sinkings, Risings, Springings, and Slidings, are to be made upon the Toe, Heel, or flat Foot, as the following Examples will demonstrate.

When there is a Point at the end of the sinking Mark, it shews, that the Toe must be bent downwards.

Sink, the Toe towards the Ground.

When there is a Point behind the sinking Mark, it denotes, that the Heel must be bent downwards.

Sink, the Heel towards the Ground.

When there is a Point at the end of the sinking Mark, and another behind, it shews the Sink must be with a flat Foot.

Sink, the Foot flat.

When there is a Point at the end of a rising Mark, it shews the Rise must be made on the Toe.

Rise on the Toe.

When there is a Point behind the rising Mark, it shews, that the Rise must be made on the Heel.

Rise on the Heel.

When there is a Point at the end of a rising Mark, and another behind, it shews, that the Rise must be on a flat Foot.

Rise on a flat Foot.

When there is a Point at the end of a springing Mark, it shews, that the Spring, Hop, or Bound, must be made on the Toe.

Spring on the Toe.

When there is a Point behind the springing Mark, it shews, that the Spring, Hop, or Bound, must be made on the Heel.

Spring on the Heel.

When there is a Point at the end of the springing Mark, and another behind, it signifies, that the Spring, Hop, or Bound, must be made on a flat Foot.

Spring on a flat Foot.

When there is a Point at the end of the sliding Mark, towards the Mark representing the Foot, it shews, that the Slide must be made on the Toe.

Slide on the Toe.

When there is a Point at the other end of the sliding Mark, it shews, that the Slide is to be made on the Heel.

Slide on the Heel.

And when there is a Point at each end of the sliding Mark, it denotes, that the Slide must be made with a flat Foot.

Slide with a flat Foot.

Of marking the Positions.

All the

Marks

which have been hitherto demonstrated, may be plac’d as well upon the

half Positions

Positions

, as upon the

Steps

, the

sliding

Marks only excepted.

If there were, for Example, a sinking Mark upon a half Position, it would shew, that the Knee of that Leg only was to be bent; but if sinking Marks should be on the whole Position, then both Knees are to be bent at the same time. The same is to be observ’d for Rising, Springing, &c. The Marks on the Positions, have no appointed Place, as they have on Steps, excepting Points, which are to be plac’d in the same manner as on Steps.

Sink on one Foot.	Sink on both Feet.	Rise on one Foot.	Rise on both Feet.	Spring on one Foot.	Spring on both Feet.
Caper on one Foot.	Caper on both Feet.	One Foot up.	Foot up, and then down.	To point the Toe.	To be on both Toes.
To place the Heel.	To be on both Heels.	To point the Toe, and then the Heel.	To be first on the Toes, and then the Heels.	To place the Heel, and point the Toe.	To be first on the Heels, and then the Toes.
To be on the flat Foot.	Both Feet flat.	A Turn on the Foot to the Rise.	A Turn on both Feet to the Rise.	Turn on one Foot to the Left.	Turn on both Feet to the Left.

Of Positions and half Positions having several Marks at once.

Positions

and

half Positions

may have several

Marks

together, as

Steps

have; and it must be observ’d of the

Marks

for

Sinking, Rising, Springing

, and

Capers

, that the

Mark

plac’d nearest to the O, is what must be first made; but when there is the

Mark

for the Foot up, that must certainly be the last perform’d.

Sink, and rise on one Foot.	Sink, and rise on both Feet.	Rise, and sink on one Foot.	Rise, and sink on both Feet.
Sink, and spring on one Foot.	Sink, and spring on both Feet.	Spring, and sink on one Foot.	Spring, and sink on both Feet.
Sink, spring, and sink on one Foot.	Sink, spring, and sink on both Feet.	Sink, and caper on one Foot.	Sink, and caper on both Feet.
Sink, and spring a half Turn to the Left on one Foot.	The same on both Feet.	Sink, caper a three quarter Turn to the Right on one Foot.	Sink, caper on both Feet a whole Turn to the Right.
Turn on the Toes a half Turn to the Left.	The same on the Heels.	Sink, rise, and turn a half Turn on the Toes to the Right.	The same on the Heels.

All the Marks of sinking and rising, which have been already demonstrated upon the Step, have Relation to the Bendings and Risings of both the Knees: But when it shall happen, that in moving in a Dance, one Knee only ought to bend or rise, the following Rules must be observed.

It will be necessary upon this Occasion, to understand when one Leg moves, what the other ought to do; to demonstrate which, I shall make use of a half Position and a Step, which must be ty’d together by a Small Line, of which, one end is join’d to that which represents the Heel of the half Position, and the other to the Head of the Step. This Union denotes, that the half Position and the Step, are both to act at the same time.

To bend the left Knee, while the right moves extended.

To bend, and rise the left Knee, while the right moves extended.

To bend the left Knee, moving the right half way extended and afterwards to bend in moving.

To bend the left Knee, the right moving extended, and sink in the middle of the Step, and rise on the Toes.

To bend the right Knee in moving, and rise towards the end, the left continuing extended.

Two Steps ty’d together at the Heads, shew they are both to move at once, which can only be perform’d by springing, which I shall hereafter call a starting Step.

These kind of starting Steps, may be practis’d two ways, viz. with both Knees stiff, or falling with the Knees bent.

The first of these needs no other Mark for Direction, but the sliding Mark; but the other must have the sliding and falling Marks together.

To Spring with both Feet open at once.	With one Foot forwards, and the other backwards, both at once.
A starting Step, with both Feet open, the Knees stiff.	A starting Step, one Foot forwards, the other backwards, the Knees stiff.
A starting Step, with both Feet open, and falling with both Knees bent.	The same, one Foot backwards, the other forwards.

Of waving Positions, and half Positions.

Waving Position,

or half

Position,

is when the Foot

waves

turns

inwards or outwards, whether upon the

Toe,

the

Heel,

or with the

Foot

up, which is explain’d by a kind of

Half-Moon

proceeding from that place which represents either the

Heel

Toe,

and which demonstrates the Motion the

Heel

Toe

ought to make in

Waving.

If it be to wave upon the

Toe,

the

Crescent

Half-Moon

ought to be plac’d where the

Heel

is represented, tending towards the

Toes

on that side you are to wave; on the contrary, if the

waving

Step is to be done on the

Heel,

or with the Foot up, the

Crescent

must be in the place which represents the

Toes

tending towards the

Heel.

Waving on the Toe, the Heel opening outwards.

The same on both Toes.

Waving on the Heel, the Toe closing inwards.

The same on both Heels.

Waving with the Foot up, the Toe closing inwards.

Of Positions and half Positions, which are wav’d and unwav’d.

Positions

and

half Positions, wav’d

and

unwav’d

are when the

Heel

Toe

returns to the place from whence either of them mov’d, which is explain’d by the

Crescent

being doubled, returning to the place from whence it came.

Waving and unwaving, the Heel opening outwards, and then closing inwards.

The same with both Feet.

Waving and unwaving, the Toe closing, inwards, and afterwards opening outwards.

The same with both Feet.

Waving and unwaving with the Foot up, the Toe closing inwards, and then opening outwards.

Examples of waving Positions, where the Toes or Heels wave both one way, and are distinguish’d by the Crescents being both on the same side.

Waving on both Toes, the Heels moving to the Right.

The same to the Left.

Waving on both Heels, the Toes moving to the Left.

The same to the Right.

Examples of waving and unwaving Positions, where the Feet turn and return both on the same side.

To turn on the Toes, the two Heels moving to the Right, and returning to the Left.

The same to the Left, and to tht Right.

To turn on the two Heels, the Toes moving to the Left, and then returning to the Right.

The same to the Right, and to the Left.

Of the Change of Positions.

The

Change

of Positions, is

changing

shifting

from one

Position

to another, whether true or false; to wit, from the first to the second, from the second to the third, and so on.

The Change of Positions is made two ways, either by springing, or waving.

Those which are perform’d by springing, are done when you spring from one Position, and fall in another; and those which are perform’d by waving, must be done on the Ground, by waving the two Feet, or each Foot Separately, either on the Toes or Heels.

The shifting of Positions by springing, may be known by what follows, viz. by two Positions, one of which has springing on it, and the other none.

a TABLE of the shifting of the True Positions		a TABLE of the shifting of the False Positions
from the 1st to the 2nd.	from the 1st to the 3rd.	from the 1st to the 2nd.	from the 1st to the 3rd.
from the 1st to the 4th.	from the 1st to the 5th.	from the 1st to the 4th.	from the 1st to the 5th.
from the 2nd to the 3rd.	from the 3rd to the 5th.	from the 2nd to the 3rd.	from the 3rd to the 1st.
from the 4th to the 2nd.	from the 5th to the 1st.	from the 4th to the 2nd.	from the 5th to the 4th.
from the 4th to the 4th.	from the 3rd to the 3rd.	from the 3rd to the 3rd.	from the 4th to the 4th.

a TABLE of the Changing true positions into false positions		a TABLE of Shifting from false positions to true positions
from the 1st true to the 2nd false.	from the 1st true to the 3rd false.	from the 1st false to the 2nd true.	from the 1st false to the 3rd true.
from the 1st true to the 4th false.	from the 1st true to the 5th false.	from the 1st false to the 4th true.	from the 1st false to the 5th true.
from the 2nd true to the 3rd false.	from the 3rd true to the 1st false.	from the 2nd false to the 3rd true.	from the 3rd false to the 4th true.
from the 4th true to the 5th false.	from the 5th true to the 2nd false.	from the 4th false to the 1st true.	from the 5th false to the 2nd true.
from the 1st true to the 1st false.	from the 3rd true to the 3rd false. &c	from the 2nd false to the 2nd true.	from the 3rd false to the 3rd true.

The Position which has springing Marks on it, shews from whence the Spring is to be made, and that which has no springing Marks on it, only denotes in what Position to fall, as may be seen by the foregoing Tables.

Of Positions that shift or change from one place to another.

Positions

may also change in

springing

from one place to another, as in

springing

forwards, backwards, or sideways. This is explain’d by two Lines of Communication, that go from the

Position

on which the

springing Marks

are plac’d, to that where there are none: Which Lines denote the Extension of the

Spring

, and of which side it must fall.

To spring forwards, both feet join’d.	The same backwards.	To spring forwards, separating the Feet.
The same backwards.	To spring forwards, and fall inclosed.	The same backwards
To spring sideways to the Right, join’d.	The same to the Left.	To spring sideways to the Right, cross’d.
The same to the Left.	To spring sideways cross’d to the right, the foremost Foot falling behind.	The same to the Left

Positions may also change in springing, by two Steps being ty’d together at the Heads; which shews, that they must move both at the same time.

A Spring forwards, with both Feet join’d.

The same backwards.

To spring from the first Position to the second.

To spring from the second to the first.

Orchesography, or, the Art of Dancing / The Art of Dancing by Characters and Demonstrative Figures

About This Book

Observations upon Springings.

Of Springing Steps.

Of marking the Positions.

Of Positions and half Positions having several Marks at once.

Of waving Positions, and half Positions.

Of Positions and half Positions, which are wav’d and unwav’d.

Of the Change of Positions.

a TABLE of the shifting of the True Positions

a TABLE of the shifting of the False Positions

a TABLE of the Changing true positions into false positions

a TABLE of Shifting from false positions to true positions

Of Positions that shift or change from one place to another.

Of the Changing of waving Positions.